Topic or Focus:

Inference

Subject:

English Language Arts

Level:

High School

Key Standard(s): (from the Common Core State Standards, English Language Arts)

RL.9-10.1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Text/Resources to be Used (Optional):

Any grade level text

Rationale:

When responding to literature, students often use superficial evidence to support their answers, indicating an inability to infer meaning and go beyond a literal interpretation of the text. They also fail to distinguish between strong and weak evidence.

Directions:

Read the attached article or story, then use the graphic organizer to organize your thoughts before responding.

Now use the information from your graphic organizer to compose a three-sentence response to the following prediction question (e.g., "What will probably happen next?"). Use the TEE mnemonic to help you organize your response:
  • T= Topic sentence: restate the question and answer
  • E = Provide evidence to support your answer
  • E = Explain how your evidence supports your answer.

[Editor's Note: Prior to this assessment, the teacher has modeled the use of the organizer, has provided time for a shared practice with a simple story, then advanced practice using a more complex text.]

Scoring:

10 pts:
  • 1 pt for each space on the organizer (6 total)
  • 2 pts for the topic sentence/answer
  • 1 pt for evidence
  • 1 pt for explanation

Analysis:

This assessment will distinguish among the following:
  • Students who can find text evidence related to a topic or character.
  • Students who can deduce a pattern in topic, plot or character from the evidence.
  • Students who can draw a logical conclusion or predict a consequence based on a pattern of evidence in the text.
  • Students who can synthesize a response to a question based on information in a graphic organizer.

Contributor:

Heather Cole, Language Lab Teacher, Bullard-Havens Technical High School, Bridgeport, CT
Ann Grasson, English Teacher, Bullard-Havens Technical High School, Bridgeport, CT
Editor: Kim M. Bennett, Consultant, Northside Consulting, Hartford, CT